USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 52
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A. Judson Laythe, son of Gilman W. and Sarah Ann Norris (Dodge) Laythe, was born in Clinton, Massa- chusetts, April 7, 1871, and received his education in the public schools of his native city and in the Bryant & Stratton Business School of Boston. Upon the com- pletion of his business course he became associated with his father in the retail shoe business, and in 1906, when the company was incorporated, he was made treasurer and general manager of the corporation. Those im- portant official and executive positions he has continued to hold to the present time (1923), and his energy and ability have been important factors in the steady growth and prosperity of the concern. In addition to his busi- ness interests and responsibilities Mr. Laythe has found time for fraternal and club associations, and for military service. He is a member of Clinton Lodge, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Sons of Veterans, Camp 19; also of the Clinton Historical So- ciety. He is well known in club circles, being a member and past president of the Prescott Club; member of
the Fay Club of Fitchburg; Oak Hill Country Club, of which he is a charter member; and the Greenfield Club. He is also a member of the Clinton Chamber of Com- merce, and his religious affiliation is with the Baptist church of Clinton. During the World War, 1917-1918, he served as a member of the Clinton Rifles. Mr. Laythe takes deep and active interest in the advance- ment of the public welfare of the city of Clinton, and freely gives his support to all projects which he con- siders to be wisely planned for the attainment of that end. Automobiling and walking are Mr. Laythe's chief recreations.
A. Judson Laythe married, on September 23, 1902, Nellie J. Maynard, who was born in Empire Prairie, Missouri, daughter of Emerson and Ellen (Howland) Maynard. Mr. and Mrs. Laythe are the parents of one son, Arthur G., who was born May 7, 1911.
FREDERICK HENRY BERGER, LL. B., a mem- ber of a family long identified with the industrial life of Webster, Massachusetts, has been active profession- ally in this, the community of his birth, for more than thirty years. His prominence has given him wide in- fluence in various branches of community and fraternal endeavor, and in professional and also social advance he is a leading figure of Webster. Mr. Berger is a son of Frederick H. C. Berger, who was a designer and weaver in the employ of S. Slater & Sons practically throughout his active lifetime, for many years in charge of that department. In this field of activity he was highly skilled and inherited his artistic taste from his father and grandfather, having followed the same line of business effort. Frederick H. C. Berger entered ser- vice in the Civil War as player of bass horn in the band of the 21st Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served for a year and a half, when Congress passed a law disbanding all bands. He was home about a year when he reënlisted in Company D, 56th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, and took part in the grand review at Washington. He died June 21, 1918, but the mother, Louise E. Rede- mann, still survives him. Her father, Godfrey Rede- mann, was a member of Company I, 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Antietam.
Frederick Henry Berger was born in Webster, Massa- chusetts, May 12, 1866. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following his high school course he entered the office of Peter T. Carroll, in· Wor- cester, Massachusetts, where he read law for one year. Thereafter entering Boston University School of Law, he completed his professional preparations at that in- stitution, from which he was graduated in the class of 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Admitted to the bar of his native State on February 2, 1892, Mr. Berger continued in association with Mr. Carroll for a year and a half. At the same time he maintained an office in Webster, which he opened in March, 1892, and upon his withdrawing from the partnership with Mr. Carroll he devoted his entire attention to his interests in Webster and soon developed a thriving and lucrative practice. Mr. Berger's ability as a lawyer very naturally brought him much into the public eye, and his activity as an enthusiastic supporter of the Republi-
Frederic, N. Berger
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can party resulted in his being early brought into the public service. For nine years he served as Overseer of the Poor; since the year 1898 he has been clerk of the courts at Webster, and his efficient and progressive service in this connection have done much for the pros- perity and security of the people. Mr. Berger acts as counsel for the Massachusetts Division of the Sons of Veterans, and during the World War was very active in all movements in support of the American Expedi- tionary Forces. He served as secretary of the Com- mittee of Public Safety, and as a "four-minute" speaker did much for the many drives then in progress, also served on all committees of the loan drives and was a member of the Legal Advisory Board. Fraternally he is a member of the Massachusetts State Bar Associ- ation, the Worcester County Bar Association, the Southern Worcester Bar Association. He is further a member of E. P. Morton Camp, No. 85, Sons of Veterans; Slater Camp, No. 59, Spanish War Veterans, and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Berger is a member of St. Louis' Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Berger married Minnie E. Roche, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, daughter of Redmond and Mary (Far- rington) Roche, her father a Civil War veteran and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
WILLIAM HENRY SAWYER-A venerable fig- ure in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, is William Henry Sawyer, who has throughout a long and honored lifetime been connected with saw mill and lumber ac- tivities, and is now president of the W. H. Sawyer Lum- ber Company of Worcester. Mr. Sawyer has built his success on practical foundations, and in his development of the present enterprise he has contributed largely to the general welfare and advance of this section, as well as achieving remarkable success. Mr. Sawyer has been a' noteworthy figure in local advance along other lines as well, serving the people faithfully in civic affairs.
William Henry Sawyer was born at Bath, New Hamp- shire, August 8, 1843. Receiving his education in coun- try schools in that section, he began life in association with his father, who was a farmer by occupation, but maintained at the same time saw mill interests in that part of the State. Coming to Worcester, Massachusetts, as a young man, Mr. Sawyer entered the lumber business, and beginning in a' small way, has developed one of the most important interests of its kind in Worcester County. Handling lumber and mill work of every kind at retail and wholesale, he has been at the head of the enterprise from its inception and is still president. The incorpora- tion of the concern was effected in the year 1895, and Mr. Sawyer's son, William Henry Sawyer, Jr., holds large executive responsibility in the organization. For some years William Henry Sawyer was a director of the Worcester Trust Company, and he has long been influential in financial and well as business advance. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen of Worcester in 1888 and 1889, and a member of the Worcester Park Commission for several years, and was chairman of the committee in charge of building the present Worcester City Hall, which was turned over to the city in 1898. In all that pertains to municipal progress he bears a worthy and constructive part. Fraternally, Mr. Sawyer holds membership in Athelstan Lodge, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Worcester Lodge of Perfection; Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem; and Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix. He is a member of the Worcester Club, Tat- nuck Country Club, also the Commonwealth Club, and attends the Plymouth Congregational Church.
William Henry Sawyer married, in 1870, Frances Weld, and they were the parents of five children: Alice, wife of Ralph L. Morgan; Anna Weld, Helen J., wife of Frank D. Lisle; Gertrude M., wife of Charles L. Morse ; and William Henry, Jr., whose biography follows :
WILLIAM HENRY SAWYER, JR .- In a field of advance vitally affecting the physical development and growth of the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, and this general section, William Henry Sawyer, Jr., holds a prominent position, and, in association with his hon- ored father, fills a broadly useful place in commercial affairs to-day. Mr. Sawyer has various other respon- sibilities as well, and is considered one of the thoroughly representative men of the day in this city. He is a son of William Henry, Sr., and Frances (Weld) Sawyer, his father's career reviewed in the preceding sketch.
William Henry Sawyer, Jr., was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, June 4, 1886. Receiving his early edu- cation in the local elementary and grammar schools, he attended the Worcester Classical High School, then following his preparatory course at the Hotchkiss School he entered Williams College, where he completed his studies. From the beginning of his business career Mr. Sawyer was active with his father in the lumber busi- ness, and learning the details of the industry by the practical method of experience he early assumed execu- tive responsibility and was made treasurer and general manager of the W. H. Sawyer Lumber Company. He has led the interest to a high degree of usefulness and prominence, and in his present position commands the esteem and confidence of the people of Worcester. The world of finance of Worcester has, for a number of years, counted William Henry Sawyer, Jr., among the progressive executives in its advance, and he acts as a director of the Worcester Bank and Trust Company, also fills the same position in the Worcester Morris Plan Bank, and is a trustee of the Worcester County Institution for Savings. He is well known in social circles, being a member of the Worcester Club, Tatnuck Country Club, and the University Club. His religious affiliation is with the First Unitarian Church.
William Henry Sawyer, Jr., married, in Leicester, Massachusetts, April 19, 1913, Dorothy Winslow, daugh- ter of the Hon. Samuel E. and Bertha (Russell) Wins- low, and they are the parents of three children : Dorothy Ann, William Henry (3), and John Edward.
WILLARD F. KEITH, in meeting the needs of the people, is bearing a noteworthy part and thereby con- tributing in a permanent way to the health and welfare of the family, his field of distribution being milk. Mr. Keith is a well known figure in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and is a prominent executive also in the local public service of West Boylston, Massachusetts.
Mr. Keith is a lineal descendant of an old and noble Scottish family, the Keiths of Scotland in the fifteenth century being very prominent and wealthy, the head of
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the family holding the title of Earl Marshal of Scot- land for many generations. Rev. James Keith was born in Scotland in 1643, and came to America in 1661, thus establishing the family in the New World. The line, in direct descent, comes down to Royal Keith, the great- great-grandson of Rev. James Keith. Royal Keith re- moved to Grafton, Massachusetts, upon the death of his father in the Revolutionary War, and apprenticed him- self to the shoemaker's trade. He followed this voca- tion all his life with marked success. In 1797 he pur- chased a farm in the southern part of Grafton, and dur- ing the following thirty-five years he acquired other ad- joining farms until he was the owner of a five hundred acre estate, now known as "Keith Hill." Royal Keith's son, Royal Adams Keith, and his son, John Fisher Keith, continued as agriculturists on the homestead until the last-named scion of the house removed to West Boylston in 1901. John Fisher Keith was married, in 1886, to Anna Augusta Fay, a daughter of Jasper Fay, of West- boro, Massachusetts, and to them were born six sons and one daughter.
Willard F. Keith, the third son of John Fisher and Anna Augusta (Fay) Keith, was born at Grafton, Massachusetts, on June 4, 1895. The family removing to West Boylston when he was six years of age, his education was received in the public and high schools of this community. His career was begun on his father's farm, where he was employed until September 1, 1917, when he established an independent business in the retail distribution of milk. He operates a model dairy, well known as "The Pinecroft Dairy," and with the most approved methods of handling his product he has won a high reputation for excellence in this commodity. A vital food product as this is, Mr. Keith's careful atten- tion to the details of the business, and his progressive spirit and attitude in it, form an influence which counts in no slight degree for the welfare and prosperity of the people. In February, 1923, Mr. Keith was elected Selectman of the town of West Boylston, but has other- wise never been active in public affairs, although deeply interested in all that pertains to present-day advance. During the World War he was a member of a West Boylston company of the Massachusetts State Guard. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Patrons of Husbandry. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church.
Willard F. Keith married, June 1, 1922, Edith Marion Howe, a daughter of Thomas Walter and Maud (Graham) Howe, respected residents of Holden.
RUSSELL READ COES holds a responsible execu- tive position in the commercial world of Worcester, Massachusetts, and is counted among the successful men of this city. In his present interests he is finding useful the extensive experience which he has gained through earlier business activities both in America and abroad. A veteran of the World War, Mr. Coes is widely pop- ular in military circles, and he stands among the thor- oughly representative men of the day in Worcester County. He is a son of Frank Loring and Cora (Keith) Coes, his father a well-known manufacturer of wrenches and a member of one of the oldest families in Worcester County.
Russell Read Coes was born in the city of Worcester,
Massachusetts, August 26, 1894. His education was acquired in the local public and high schools, and his first employment was with the Hendee Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, in their engi- neering department. He was active for two years in this connection, after which he was promoted to assistant service manager, then became identified with their ex- port sales department. In this capacity Mr. Coes was called to all parts of the United States and to many foreign countries, and in the course of his work in this connection he spent three years in London, England. It was there that war conditions in Europe found him, and as soon as the United States entered the war he hastened home to join the army of his native country. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Ordnance Depart- ment of the United States Army. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to civil life and re- sumed his position with the Hendee Manufacturing Company, but in October, 1921, resigned and returned to Worcester. His purpose was to establish an independent interest in the distribution of motor cars, and after pre- liminary arrangements the St. Clair Motor Company was organized in January, 1922, Mr. Coes becoming manager. This company in the comparatively short period which has since elapsed has developed a very extensive interest, handling the Hudson and Essex cars, as distributor for the Worcester district. In his position as manager, Mr. Coes has been largely responsible for the rapid growth of the enterprise, and with the experi- ence which he has behind him, added to his natural executive ability, the future of this concern looks even brighter than the record which it has thus far made. Mr. Coes is prominent in club circles, being a member of the Worcester, Worcester Country, Commonwealth, Tatnuck Country, and Quinsigamond Boat Clubs. He is a member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church.
Mr. Coes married, at London, England, January 7, 1920, Marjorie Bridgman, daughter of Ernest Ashford and Casandra (Frasetti) Bridgman.
WINFIELD W. WOODWARD, one of the most useful citizens in Athol, Massachusetts, has devoted much of his time and thought to civic matters which has resulted in much good to the community. He is a prom- inent business man and identified with financial affairs.
Winfield W. Woodward is a son of Charles W. and Louisa P. (Cook) Woodward, the latter a native of New York State, and was born at Athol, Massachusetts, September 6, 1863. His father, though born at Warwick, Massachusetts, spent his entire lifetime in Athol, where as a carpenter and builder he is responsible for the con- struction of the larger buildings there. Mr. Woodward obtained his education in the public schools of Athol, Massachusetts, and began his business career in railroad bridge construction. For twenty-two years he continued jin that line of work and rose to be general foreman before changing his vocation to the automobile business, in which for five years he was superintendent of the Grout Automobile Company of Orange, Massachusetts, a concern manufacturing steam automobiles. At that time he purchased the Weber Lumber Company, in 1911, and has continued the business since.
Mr. Woodward is a director of the Athol Cooperative Bank. He was a Selectman for seven years as a Re-
Hinfield . Woodward
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publican member, also Supervisor of Highways, and served as a member of the majority of Town Commit- tees, the most important of which was the Committee of Three that were instrumental in having the Athol bridge built. In fact he has been very active in public affairs for the past twelve years. During the World War he was chairman of the Executive Board of the Public Safety Commission. He is a member of the Athol Board of Trade and chairman of the Public Ser- vice Committee 1923. Fraternally he is affiliated with Star Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Harris Council, Royal Select Masters; Athol Commandery, Knights Templar ; Oriental Temple of Troy, New York, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and socially is a member of the Poquaig Club. He is a member of the Second Unitarian Church.
Mr. Woodward was united in marriage, in 1891, at Hoosick Falls, New York, with Helen E. Clark, a daughter of John and Alice (Harlan) Clark, of Hoosick Falls. To this union two children were born: Helena Blanche, born at Hoosick Falls, in 1896, married Fred- erick P. Bulman, and has one child, Winifred Helena; and Marion Elizabeth, born in 1902 at Athol, is an in- structor at the Hartford, Connecticut School of Music.
RUSSELL D. WASS, D. M. D .- Among the younger generation of practicing dentists in Leominster, Massa- chusetts, is Dr. Wass, who is widely associated with social, fraternal, and professional organizations. His father, Gilbert H. Wass, was born in Harrington, Maine, and is now head of the Leominster Creamery and Paige- Jewett Motor Company. His mother, Lillian M. (Dick- son) Wass, is also a native of Harrington, Maine.
Russell D. Wass was born in Leominster, Massachu- setts, August 30, 1898, and educated in the public and high schools there before receiving his degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine upon graduating from Harvard Uni- versity in 1919. In that same year he bought the busi- ness of Dr. Albert H. Ward, who continues with him as an associate dentist, and is located in the Richardson Building.
Fraternally Dr. Wass is a Mason, and a member in that order of all bodies of Scottish and York Rites, in- cluding the Shrine and Eastern Star; and of Delta' Sigma Delta fraternity of the Harvard Dental School. He is affiliated with the following clubs: Leominster, Masonic, Colonial, and Monoosnock Country. He is a' member of the National Dental Society, Wachusetts Dental Society, and the Massachusetts State Dental So- ciety. He was a captain of cadets in the Leominster High School in 1916, and sergeant in the Reserve Offi- cers' Training Corps during the World War. He at- tends the Unitarian church in his city.
Dr. Wass married, September 21, 1923, Doris E. Wil- son, born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, but went to Leo- minster with her parents when nine years old. She is the daughter of Edward and Elinoir (Whitmore) Wilson, both living in Leominster. Mrs. Wass is also a member of the Monoosnock Country Club and the Eastern Star, being Marshal (1923) of the latter. She graduated from the Leominster High School in the same class (1916) as her husband.
ROBY HOWARD SAFFORD, owner and propri- etor of the Safford Jewelry Store, in the Columbia Block, has been a resident of Leominster, Massachusetts, since 1889. He was born at Holliston, Massachusetts, June 9, 1869, son of Henry Howard and Sarah Emma (Todd) Safford. His parents were residents of Hudson, Massachusetts, during Mr. Safford's boyhood, and his father was employed as foreman at one of the leading shoe factories at Hudson.
Mr. Safford received his education in the public schools of Hudson. He early decided to make himself the master of some practical trade, and having a keen eye, a ready hand, and a taste for working with gold and precious stones, he determined to become a jeweler. He had no difficulty in associating himself with H. E. French, a well-known jeweler of Hudson, as an appren- tice, and set to work with all his heart to learn the trade. He made rapid progress and was gradually en- trusted with the execution of more difficult commissions, such as the repairing of fine watches and the setting or remounting of stones. After having served a long and diligent apprenticeship under Mr. French, Mr. Safford decided to enter the field of business for himself. Ac- cordingly in 1889, although he was only twenty years old, he came to Leominster and opened a high-class jewelry establishment in the old Coburn Building. His thorough knowledge of his trade, the careful study he had given to the mercantile elements of the jewelry busi- ness such as sources of supply, varying grades of work- manship, and the various specialties of different coun- tries, as for instance, the master craftsmanship of the Swiss watchmakers and the world preëminence of the diamond cutters of Amsterdam, enabled him to achieve a substantial success from the very beginning. His business grew and he soon became widely known as one of the miost progressive and energetic business men in Leominster. He retained his store in the Coburn Build- ing until 1898, when the Columbia Block was erected, and he moved to his present establishment in that block. His business has increased with the passing of time, and he is now a recognized leader in mercantile thought and progress in the town.
In politics Mr. Safford is a Republican. He takes the greatest interest in public affairs and is a vigorous supporter of constructive legislative policies, especially in so far as they relate to the betterment of trade con- ditions throughout the country. In 1913 Mr. Safford was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Retail Jewelers' Association, and served on its executive com- mittee for two years. In religious faith Mr. Safford is a member of the Unitarian Church. He is a Mason of long standing and holds membership in various Masonic bodies. He also belongs to the Leominster Club, and takes an active part in the work of that organization.
Mr. Safford married, on August 30, 1892, at Leomin- ster, Lillian F. French, daughter of H. G. and Ann Mira (Randall) French. Mr. and Mrs. Safford have five children: Mildred, born July 14, 1893, now Mrs. Barnard; Herman French, a sketch of whom follows; Margaret Mildred, born January 30, 1901; Robert Hall, born September 8, 1913; and Marion Louise, born Au- 4, 1915.
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HERMAN FRENCH SAFFORD, eldest son of Roby Howard and Lillian F. (French) Safford, was born at Leominster, Massachusetts, August 19, 1894. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from Leo- minster High School in 1912, going thence to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, whence he was graduated B. S. in mechanical engineering. He then pursued a special course in advanced ordnance engineering at Massachu- setts Institute of Technology in 1922-23.
In 1917 he enlisted in the United States Army and has held successively the rank of second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain of the Coast Artillery Corps, of the United States Army, and at the present time is captain in the Ordnance Department of the United States Army, in fact, he has held an officer's commis- sion in the United States Army during his entire pro- fessional career. During the war with Germany he served with the 5Ist Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps, of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, from December, 1917, to June, 1918, in the Toul Sector ; and with the 60th Regiment, Coast Artillery Company, June, 1918, to December, 1918, participating in the entire St. Mihiel and Argonne Offensives. From the Armistice until returning to the United States in June, 1919, he was attached to Headquarters Base No. 2, at Bordeaux, in charge of the Bureau of Athletics, Welfare, and Enter- tainment.
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